Abuja: The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr Angela Ajala, has asserted that the future development of Nigeria is intrinsically linked to the quality of its teachers. During a courtesy visit by members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) to her office, Ajala highlighted the urgent need to focus on teacher education, citing decades of neglect and declining public regard for the teaching profession.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ajala stressed the critical role teachers play in shaping every professional and leader in the country. She stated that no nation could surpass the quality of its teachers, emphasizing that if the education system fails at the level of the teachers, the nation itself could suffer irreparable damage. Ajala also condemned the notion that teaching is a profession of last resort, calling it a dangerous narrative that undermines the education system. She explained that while material objects can be repaired, the impact of poor teaching can last a lifetime.
Ajala urged education journalists to help restore the image of the teaching profession, describing them as crucial contributors to education reforms. She noted the transition from a time when teachers were highly respected in society to the current perception and called for a change in this narrative. Regarding the removal of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into colleges of education, Ajala defended the policy by explaining that it was based on evidence and future projections for the sector’s needs.
She warned of a potential significant shortage of teachers in Nigeria within the next six years if enrolment in teacher-training institutions does not increase. Ajala highlighted ongoing reforms in Colleges of Education, including the dual mandate policy allowing institutions to award both the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degrees, which she said would enhance graduates’ competitiveness in the labor market.
Curricula are also being reviewed to align teacher training with global standards and emerging educational realities. During the visit, ECAN Chairman Mr. Chuks Ukwuatu congratulated Ajala on her appointment as the first female executive secretary of the NCCE and assured the commission of ECAN’s commitment to objective and constructive reporting on educational policies and programs. The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthening collaboration to improve public understanding of teacher education and support reforms in Nigeria’s colleges of education.